Doralynne Jarvis (far right) demonstrates to Yankton High School freshman Brenna Dumke (far left) and ASHH dietician Carla Scott-Schmidt (center) how she assists patients in evaluating food labels. (Loretta Sorensen/For the P&D)

Yankton mayor Curt Bernard gathered with officials from Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton Public Schools and Hy-Vee last week to introduce a community-wide health initiative, 5-9 A Day. The group met at Hy-Vee to make the announcement.

The main objective of the program is to impact the eating habits of the Yankton community and influence people to establish the habit of eating between five and nine servings of fruit and vegetables each day.

In recent months, Yankton elementary schools held a poster contest and created table tents to illustrate the "5-9 A Day" program message. The posters and table tents will be displayed throughout the Yankton community, and presentations on the program will be available to the public through ASHH.

The idea to bring the program to Yankton began in August 2004 when ASHH and Hy-Vee Foods Inc. of Yankton formed a unique partnership to share a licensed, registered dietitian. Since that time, Doralynne Jarvis, RD, LN, has been providing nutritional care both at both the hospital and the grocery store. A schedule of the days and times that Jarvis is in the store is posted at the pharmacy counter.

"When people come into the store, I can help them find healthier products to eat or special foods that they need," Jarvis says. "I may be able to accompany them on a shopping trip to help them make healthy food choices. I also produce a newsletter with current nutrition and health topics."

Jarvis is available to answer questions and provide educational information to shoppers in the store. Along with fellow nutritionists at ASHH, Jarvis also provides nutritional presentations to groups and organizations throughout the community and the area.

"The information people receive in the store isn't as in-depth as it would be for a hospital patient," Jarvis said. "But I can give them general diet information."

Riverboat Days parade floats in the summer of 2005 kicked off for the second phase of "5-9 A Day." The ASHH float featured dancers in large fruit and veggie costumes, and presented the new MyPyramid with colorful rays of fabric in a pyramid shape. The Hy-Vee float followed with shopping carts filled with gigantic fruit and veggie balloons. A 100 percent fruit leather snack was distributed by float walkers to children along the parade route.

ASHH and Hy-Vee then teamed up to bring the program to Yankton schools last fall. During the school's open houses, parents, teachers and students were surveyed about their fruit and vegetable eating habits. The results of the survey indicated that consumption levels of those surveyed were under the state average.

Carla Scott-Schmidt, MPh, RD, LN, ASHH director of Nutrition Services, said that of those surveyed, only 14 percent ate five or more fruits and vegetables each day.

"The state average is 19 percent," Schmidt said. "We're hoping that through this campaign we'll boost Yankton's average to 25 percent."

Schmidt said the benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to a diet include the prevention of approximately 35 percent of cancers in general and up to 50 percent of specific cancers. The risk of cancer drops by half for people who eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

"The nutrients in the fruits and vegetables is also a big factor," Schmidt said. "There are vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants and fiber that help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes."

At last week's official kickoff, Bernard told those gathered for the occasion that eating healthy is not a new subject.

"You've probably all heard your mother tell you to eat your fruit and vegetables when you were a kid," Bernard said. "This initiative fits in with Gov. Mike Rounds' Healthy South Dakota plan. That plan is addressing smoking, obesity and exercise. ... It's great that Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, our schools and Hy-Vee have been able to work together to bring this initiative to our community."

Dr. Marques Rhoades, vice president of Medical Affairs at ASHH, said this program will be integrated with other health initiatives in upcoming months.

"We'll be looking at diet, exercise, safety and other health issues," Rhoades said. "As the programs develop, we'll introduce them to the community. That will be an ongoing project."

Both Hy-Vee Director Brad Dykes and Yankton Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joe Gertsema said they are pleased to be part of this new program.

"This is a natural partnership for us," Dykes said. "It works very well for us to take part in the program. It's been fun and exciting to see it develop."

Gertsema noted that the partnership is unique and gives the school an opportunity to model good eating habits to students.

"Sandi Kramer, our school lunch director, can demonstrate health eating styles to our students through what's being served in the lunch program," Gertsema said.

Kramer noted that the timing of the initiative fits well with national concerns about obesity in children.

"Children aren't just hearing about healthy lifestyles -- sthey're learning firsthand about it in school every day," Kramer said. "This gives us a great opportunity to have an impact on the lifestyles of our students."

ASHH President and CEO Pam Rezac said she is pleased to see a partnership that is bringing the community together for a positive effort.

"It's great that we can focus on improving our lifestyles," she said. "It's even better that we're able to do it all together."

Additional information about the 5-9 A Day program is available by contacting the Public Relations Department at ASHH (605) 668-8329; Yankton Public Schools (605) 665-3998; or Hy-Vee Foods, Inc., at (605) 665-3412.